Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees met February 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Pursuant to notice, a special meeting was called by the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, and the meeting convened at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 7, 2018, in the Board Room of Birger Hall, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Gilbert. The following members of the Board were present:

MG (Ret) Randal Thomas, Chair (via teleconference)

Hon. J. Phil Gilbert, Vice Chair

Mr. Joel Sambursky, Secretary

Mr. Sam Beard

Dr. Shirley Portwood

Dr. Marsha Ryan

Ms. Amy Sholar

The following member was absent:

Mr. Luke Jansen

The Executive Secretary reported and the Chair determined that a quorum was physically present.

Also present for the duration of the meeting were Dr. Randy J. Dunn, President; Mr. Lucas Crater, General Counsel; and Ms. Misty Whittington, Executive Secretary of the Board.

Trustee Sambursky made a motion to allow Chair Thomas to participate in the meeting via teleconference. The motion was duly seconded by Trustee Portwood. The motion passed unanimously via voice vote.

Vice Chair Gilbert explained the procedures for the public comment and question portion of the Board’s agenda.

Dr. Kathleen Chwalisz, SIUC Faculty Senate, made her presentation to the Board. She reviewed recent collaborative efforts between some colleagues and Chancellor Montemagno for the SIUC reorganization plan. She spoke of disappointing behavior of some other colleagues with whom she has worked for a number of years. Dr. Chwalisz asked for a show of support by President Dunn for the campus reorganization effort.

Mr. Charlie Howe made his presentation to the Board. He spoke of a decline in enrollment at SIU Carbondale and a turnover of administrators. He recommended the Board follow the Policy Governance Model by John Carver whereby under a regular monitoring process each Board member would be given areas to monitor and report progress.

Dr. David Johnson, SIUC Faculty Association, made his presentation to the Board. He noted recent votes of opposition by the SIUC Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC) and SIUC Undergraduate Student Government to Chancellor Montemagno’s proposed restructuring plan that included the elimination of departments. Further, he reported on a recent vote of no confidence in the Chancellor made by the GPSC. He spoke of the need for the campus to keep departments. In addition, Dr. Johnson commented regarding the recent hire of Chancellor Montemagno’s daughter and son-in-law, and the Chancellor’s involvement in some other campus job searches.

Mr. Johnathan Flowers, SIUC Graduate and Professional Student Council, made his presentation to the Board. He discussed the need for the Chancellor to involve faculty and staff groups regarding the restructuring plan. Mr. Flowers discussed low retention rates of the campus and the need for a retention plan to be created.

Mr. Olusegun Ojewuyi, made his presentation to the Board. He mentioned that he served as vice president of the SIUC Faculty Association, was a full professor, served on the Diversity Council, and was a parent. He discussed concerns that many are not opposed to change but are opposed to specifics in the Chancellor’s restructuring plan. Further he expressed concerns that input regarding the restructuring plan was being gathered in an autocratic style.

Regarding proposed tuition rates and fee matters for the Carbondale campus, Trustee Beard inquired about the rationale to uncap student fees. Chancellor Montemagno reported the change was recommended to eliminate inconsistencies.

Board members received training for portal software by videoconference.

At approximately 2:58 p.m., Trustee Ryan moved that the Board go into closed session to consider pending, probable or imminent court proceedings against or on behalf of the Board; information regarding appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; collective negotiating matters; and review of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act. The relevant sections of the Open Meetings Act Statute that allow for the closed session are 5 ILCS 120/2(c) (1), (2), (11), and (21). The motion was duly seconded by Trustee Sholar. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: aye, Hon. J. Phil Gilbert; Dr. Shirley Portwood; Dr. Marsha Ryan; Mr. Joel Sambursky; Ms. Amy Sholar; Maj. Gen. Randal Thomas; nay, none.

At approximately 8:46 p.m., a motion was made by Trustee Ryan and seconded by Trustee Sholar to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by a voice vote.

No action was requested or taken during the closed session.

http://siusystem.edu/board-of-trustees/meetings/meetings2018.shtml